American Sparrow Hawk
Medium
hand-colored engraving and aquatint on Whatman wove paper
Classification
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James
Accession Number
1945.8.142
Art Historical Context
Behold the *American Sparrow Hawk* (1832), a stunning plate from John James Audubon's epic *The Birds of America*, masterfully engraved and printed by Robert Havell. Audubon, a pioneering naturalist and artist, captured this petite falcon—now known as the American kestrel—in dynamic flight against a vivid natural backdrop, showcasing his revolutionary approach to ornithological illustration. Published as part of the lavish double-elephant folio edition (1827–1838), this print exemplifies Audubon's commitment to life-size accuracy and dramatic poses drawn from live observations, elevating bird ...
About the Artist
Robert Havell after John James Audubon
Robert Havell Jr., born on November 25, 1793, in Reading, Berkshire, England, was the son of renowned engraver and publisher Robert Havell Sr. and Lydia Miller Phillips. Growing up in a family of artists that included notable engravers and etchers, he trained under his father, mastering aquatint techniques early on. Though briefly estranged from the family business, Havell reconciled with his fath...